California Bioresources Economy Summit

Session 7Effective Governance & Stewardship

Environmental Justice Perspective

By Nayamin Martinez, Director Central California Environmental Justice Network

OVERVIEW

• Central California Environmental Justice Network

• Environmental Justice in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV)

• Biomass & EJ Communities

• Ways to achieve success & equity

Our Vision

• Central California Environmental Justice Network, led by diverse local people and working with other networks globally will end environmental racism and achieve economic justice through sustainable regional solutions.

Our Mission

• Our goals are to preserve our natural resources now and in the future, by seeking better ways to minimize or eliminate environmental degradation in Central Valley communities. This is crucial because rural communities in California’s Central Valley suffer a disproportionate amount of negative health, social and financial impacts.

The San Joaquin Valley“Place of contradictions. It contains the most productive and wealth-generating agricultural lands on the planet. At the same time, many of the people who produce this bounty live in poverty and often face health risks due to toxic by-products of the region’s economy.”

London, J. et al. (2011) Land of Risk/Land of Opportunity. UC Davis Center for regional Change

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“Environmental Justice”

The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.

Biomass IncinerationEnergy Producers & Threat to Public Health

Emissions Per Megawatt of Energy Produced

Census Tract: 6019008302City of Mendota

Population: 6,562CalEnviroScreen 3.0 Percentile: 96 - 100%

Pollution Burden Percentile: 73

Population Characteristics Percentile:

99

Ozone: 78PM 2.5: 84

Asthma: 88Low Birth Weight: 71Cardiovascular Rate: 93

Covanta Mendota (idle)Mendota, Fresno County25 MWs Biomass FacilityEmits 84.3 tons PM2.5/year (2014)

Census Tract: 6077000801Port of Stockton

Population: 6,692CalEnviroScreen 3.0 Percentile:

96 -100%

Pollution Burden Percentile: 100

Population Characteristics Percentile:

98

Ozone: 53PM 2.5: 84

Asthma: 98Low Birth Weight: 81Cardiovascular Rate: 97DTE Stockton (active)

Stockton, Stanislaus County45 MWs Biomass Facility Emits 10.2 tons PM2.5/year (2015)

Census Tract: 6029004604Areas surroundingDelano and McFarland

Population: 15,845CalEnviroScreen 3.0 Percentile: 96 - 100%

Pollution Burden Percentile: 92

Population Characteristics Percentile:

90

Ozone: 91PM 2.5: 99

Asthma: 60Low Birth Weight: 85Cardiovascular Rate: 72Covanta Delano (idle)

Delano, Kern County49 MWs Biomass Facility Emits 49.2 tons PM2.5/year (2014)

Mt. Poso Cogeneration (active)Bakersfield, Kern County45 MWs Biomass Facility Emits 10.6 tons PM2.5/year (2015)

Census Tract: 6019001500Community of Malaga

Population: 2,206CalEnviroScreen 3.0 Percentile: 96 - 100%

Pollution Burden Percentile: 100

Population Characteristics Percentile:

93

Ozone: 98PM 2.5: 97

Asthma: 90Low Birth Weight: 39Cardiovascular Rate: 92

Rio Bravo Fresno (active)Fresno, Fresno County25 MWs Biomass FacilityEmits 36.7 tons PM2.5/year (2015)

Achieving Success in Equity and Access● Do a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impact

of biomass facilities and other sources of “clean energy” ● Consult & engage communities before permitting these

facilities

● Integrate across programs and agencies to ensure complementary policies provide maximum benefits to disadvantaged communities

● Two concrete opportunities:○ AB 617

○ Community Benefits Agreement

Example: Community Benefits Agreement A Community Benefits Agreement is a contract signed by community groups and a developer/project manager that requires the developer to provide specific amenities and/or mitigations to the local community or neighborhood. In exchange, the community groups agree to publicly support the project, or at least not oppose it.